A/N: Hey guys! I'm so hyped this morning! I'm going to Comicon as an early birthday present! Yay! Anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

~Day 429~

I walked out into The Gray Area and joined the two younger Nobodies on the couch. Or, replicas, I guess. I was still thinking about what Riku had said to me the day before. I had known him before, along with Axel or Lea, a boy with brown hair that looked a lot like Fox, and a girl named Kairi that resembled Xion. I couldn't remember how I knew them, but I wanted to be back with Sora, Kairi, and Riku with Axel, Fox, and Xion by my side, too. I was silent as I sat there, deep in thought, until Fox spoke up.

"Morning, Exchy," He chimed. I looked over at them and smiled.

"Hey guys."

"You thinking about something?" Xion asked. I shook my head.

"No. I'm just tired." We were silent again.

"Are you coming up to the clock tower later?" Fox asked. I smiled at them and nodded.

"Sure." That's when Xion stood up and summoned a Dark Corridor. Fox got to his feet as they said their goodbyes and left on their mission.

Fox quickly jumped over the Dire Plant as Xion ran at it, ready to attack with her Keyblade. The two were in Twilight Town, halfway through their mission, when the Heartless had popped up and began attacking them. Now they were trying to get rid of it. Xion was about to strike when the Heartless released blinding pollen into the air.

"Ah! It got in my eyes! I can't see!" Xion fell backward and Fox caught her, carrying her to a safe place. After he placed her behind one of the walls of a building, Fox finally finished off the Dire Plant in front of him. Xion stayed where Fox had put her, and after the Heartless had diminished, her favorite Nobody hurried over to the girl that was lying on the ground and helped her up.

"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly, seeing how her eyes seemed glazed over.

"I-I'm fine," Xion reassured him, "Just a little blind at the moment. It'll wear off." She stood up and took a step forward, but suddenly fell backwards.

"Xion!" Fox quickly caught her in his arms and sat down on the ground. She felt his warm embrace and instantly felt secure. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked.

"Yes," Xion laughed, "I'm fine. Like I said, just a little blind. But I also don't mind being in your arms." She snugged up closer to him as Fox blushed, obviously glad that she couldn't see it.

"X-Xion," Fox stuttered, "Do you . . . like me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Xion wondered aloud, eyes becoming unglazed a little.

"So, if I kissed you right now, you'd kiss me back?" Fox questioned.

"Try," Xion smiled. That's when Fox leaned forward and locked their lips together. Xion instantly kissed back and pulled them closer together to deepen it. They both wanted this moment to last forever.

Meanwhile, back in The Castle That Never Was, I was at Axel's bedside once again. I had already finished my mission for the day and was waiting on Fox and Xion to finish theirs. There was a hopeful gleam in my eyes as I looked at the sleeping redhead. I held onto his hand and began to speak.

"Hey, Axel." There was no response. "I ran into Riku. You know, my little brother's best friend. Anyway, he want's me to come home to see Sora and Kairi again." There was silence. "I won't go. Not yet, anyway. You just need to wake up. Then Fox, Xion, you, and I can all go home together, well, wherever home is." It became quiet and no noise could be heard. "Bye, Axel. I'll see you later." And with that, I left the room. But, just as I was about to start the walk back to my room, I began to feel a sudden dizziness.

"Exchy?" I fell onto my knees as the room began to spin. The usually rude bluenette ran to my side with a worried expression on his face. "Exchy, are you alright?" I had never seen Saix so worried.

"Saix?" I wondered aloud. That's when he picked me up and began carrying me to my room. Since when was he so nice to me? He laid me down on my bed and stood up straight, seeming as emotionless as usual. "Saix–"

"You're memory is going to come back to you," He explained, "I'm sorry, Chey. I'd like to make amends." I noted the sincerity in his voice and gladly accepted.

"Thank you, Saix," I smiled. That's when the room began to darken and the dizziness began to fade away. The next thing I knew, I was out like a light and no longer conscious.

~Flashback~

I looked at the room around me. I was in my own room in my home on the Destiny Islands, just waking up from my sleep. I sat up and stretched my arms as the door began to creak open. I was almost fully awake when the brunette that was my little brother walked into the room.

"Morning, Sora!" I smiled.

"Hey, Chey," He smiled back at me, "You up for chilling on the beach with Riku, Kairi, and me? I'm pretty sure Lea and Isa will be at the docks."

"Sure!"

Sora and Kairi walked beside me, Kairi under Sora 's arm, as Riku walked by my other side. It was just the four of us, like usual, walking to the Paopu Fruit tree the trio usual hung out at. We walked across the wooden bridge that connected the mainland to a smaller island and they took their spots on the bent trunk of the tropical tree. Riku was sitting on the ground, leaning up against the bottom of the tree's trunk with his hands behind his head, as Sora and Kairi took their spots on the wood. I just looked at them.

"You going to sit down?" Sora asked me. I shook my head.

"No," I replied, "Lea and Isa are probably waiting for me down at the dock."

"Okay." I turned and walked onto the wooden bridge. I jumped off, landing lightly on the sand below, and began walking down the beach, thinking as I watched the sun begin to set. Within twenty minutes, I was finally at the other edge of the beach and on a wooden dock. I began walking down the sturdy wooden planks, when I saw a redhead and bluenette looking up at the sunset from the edge of the dock, talking. That's when they both turned to look at me. The bluenette wore an emotionless expression on his face that greatly resembled the one Saix gave me all the time as he looked at me while the redhead that looked like a younger version of Axel gave me a mischievous grin.

"Hey, Chey," He greeted, "You ready to go to Twilight Town for some ice-cream?" I smiled and nodded as Lea walked over to me and took my hand. That's when a strange feeling washed over me. I wasn't scared or frightened. It was a good feeling, but I couldn't comprehend it.

"Come on," He smiled, "The sunset's waiting!"

"I will never forget these sunsets," I smiled, looking at the blazing sun. Lea bit into his ice-cream as Isa just stared at the sun with the same emotionless expression he wore almost all the time. Lea looked at me and smiled.

"I hope you don't forget these sunsets. I know they'll stay in my memory forever. See, I've got it memorized." I laughed a little before Isa spoke up.

"If only the moon and the sun could be out together at this time of day," He sighed.

"What's with you and the moon?" Lea asked. Isa shrugged. "I swear you're a werewolf, man!" The redhead laughed.

"Not just a werewolf," I smiled, "He's a puppy!" Lea and I both laughed as Isa hunched over a little. Lea bit into his ice-cream again as I nibbled on mine. "I would never want this to change," I smiled.

"What?"

"I mean, how the three of us all meet up to watch the sunset," I explained, "This is probably the only time away from home and school that I can get." I cherished those moments more than anyone could ever know or that I could express. The three of us had been best friends for a long time and I couldn't see anything changing.

"I hope things stay this way, too," Isa agreed, "Even if you two are really annoying sometimes, I couldn't imagine life without the three of us here."

"Awe, Isa really does have a heart!" I cried, embracing the bluenette in a warm hug. He pushed me off and I faked a sad face. "I just wanted a hug!" I whined.

"Here," Lea grinned. The redhead pulled me into a hug as I began to blush. I had a slight crush on the taller boy, but tried not to show it.

"Thanks," I giggled. He let go of me and we all looked back at the burning sky. I thought that moment would be burned into my mind. The memory wasn't, but the warmth of the sunlight and the feelings I had while sitting on the clock tower would be forever locked into my heart. I would feel the experience again, I was sure of it.

I ran across the sandy beach and onto the wooden dock where they were supposed to be waiting. It was evening once again and I did what I usually did everyday during the evening. I expected to see the two boys that had been my best friends for years, but I was surprised by what was going on. Lea and Isa were surrounded by shadows that were shaped like bugs with yellow eyes. I quickly jumped back.

"What are those things?!" The two continued attacking the dark creatures as Isa began to explain.

"They're Heartless. We learned about them in school. They steal hearts from people."

"Steal hearts?" That's when a three Heartless suddenly popped out of ground and surrounded me. "Lea!" I screamed. The redhead quickly came to my rescue, lashing at the creatures with his frisbees. But, just as the three started to wither away, one of the Shadows Isa was fighting jumped onto him and latched onto his chest. He let out a scream as the other two Shadows clung onto his legs and he fell backwards.

"Isa!" Lea dashed back over to his fallen friend and ripped at the Heartless, trying to make them let go. I wanted to help them so desperately. That's when another Heartless appeared behind Lea as he ripped the last Shadow Heartless off of Isa 's body.

"Lea, watch out!" I shrieked. I ran onto the dock and got between the Heartless and my two best friends. That's when a weapon materialized in my hand. It looked like the key to a dark door or something, but I didn't really care. Now I had something to fight with. Just as the Shadow lunged at me, I quickly attacked. With one swipe, it faded away into the darkness. But as that one died, more and more began to appear. I was able to fend them off for a while, but they began to get closer. Eventually, one made its way over to Lea and attacked. I turned around and saw the deep scratch marks in the redhead's chest from the tiny creature. Then, it grabbed onto him.

"No!" I felt my anger rise and my eyes became a blood-red color. Shadows whirled around my feet as I began to attack and destroyed every Heartless that was around. When they were all dead, I rushed over to my two best friends, who laid there on the wood of the dock, dying as shadows began to emanate from their bodies.

"Lea? Isa?" They responded with weak groans. Tears began to form in my eyes. "You guys are going to be okay!" I cried, "I promise! I'll fix this!"

"Goodbye, Chey." I looked at Isa with fearful eyes.

"Isa, no!" I cried, "Guys, don't leave me!" The shadows began to spread over his body.

"We don't have . . . a choice," Lea replied. I couldn't hold back the tears as I gripped both of their hands tightly. I didn't want to let go.

"No!" I cried, "Please, don't go! I need you guys! You guys are going to be okay! Please, just don't go . . ." I couldn't stop crying. That's when Isa began to fade away. "Isa!"

"Goodbye, Chey," He said calmly.

"No! Don't go, please!" I pleaded. But it was no use. Within seconds, the boy had faded away. I looked down at Lea, who was just seconds away from fading as well. I knew he was going to meet the same fate as our other friend. "Please, Lea," I pleaded, "I need you!" A smile appeared on his lips as he looked up at me.

"This isn't goodbye," He promised, "Got it . . . memorized? I'll find you again." A tear rolled down my cheek as I closed my eyes as I embraced him in a hug.

"I don't know what I'll do without you guys."

"Remember," Lea managed to say, "I will always be with you. Even if you don't see me, I'm there. I'll be there in your heart." I nodded as I felt him disappear. I tried my hardest to hold him close and not let go, but the shadows took over and he faded away. I sat there on the dock, all alone as I cried for my lost friends. I thought I would never see them again. That's when Riku, Sora, and Kairi, rushed over to me.

"Chey, what happened?!" Sora asked worriedly. I didn't respond as more and more tears welled up in my eyes. I started crying like a baby with a burst of tears and latched onto Riku, the only guy in the group that I knew would carry me home. Sora wasn't strong enough. I buried my face in his shoulder and after a couple of seconds he realized something was terrible wrong. He picked me up and carried me home as he whispered soothing things into my ear as an attempt to calm me down. I thought nothing was going to make things better. As far as I was concerned, my life was worthless without my friends by my side.

For the next two years, I hung out with Riku, Sora, and Kairi, but when they would sit on the Paopu Fruit tree, I would walk down the beach and to the dock and watch the sunset. But, one day, it all changed. It was a warm summer evening and I was sitting on the edge of the wooden dock with some sea salt ice-cream in my hand.

I walked over to the edge of the dock and gazed at the shimmering seawater. The blazing sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon. My eyes moved from the sunset down to the ice-cream I held in my hand. I gripped the stick a little tighter and closed my eyes.

"You said that you'd be with me forever, but it doesn't feel like you're here . . . Lea." I looked back up at the burning sky and my eyes began to fill with tears. After all this time, the pain was still there. I threw my ice-cream into the water and dropped to my knees. "Lea, Isa, If you two are out there, please, come home!"

Everything was silent as my heart shattered into a million pieces. Hot tears began to run down my face and I couldn't help but break down. That's when a Heartless appeared out of nowhere and latched onto me. At first I screamed, but then I became silent as a million thoughts raced through my mind at the same time. That's when I came to a sudden realization. If I let the heartless take my heart like it did to Lea and Isa, I could join them, wherever they were. I relaxed as I let the darkness consume me.

"Finally . . . the pain will go away," I smiled, "Lea, Isa. I'll be there with you guys soon." That's when something destroyed the Heartless that was still latched onto my back and I suddenly fell forward, feeling as though I was fading away like the tiny creature had. I heard something behind me and felt a slight breeze. It sounded like the air was shifting somehow, but it went away when I heard footsteps walking my way. I looked up at the two familiar men.

They both seemed around my age and greatly resembled Lea and Isa, but seemed older than they did when they disappeared. They both wore black coats and all of their clothes were black for that matter. The one who looked like Lea had reversed teardrop shaped marking under his eyes and the guy that looked like Isa had an X-shaped scar that crossed at the bridge of his nose. They both had longer hair than my friends did, but still looked a lot like them.

"Isa? Lea?"

"Chey, what were you thinking?" The redhead, Lea, asked, hugging me close.

"I just wanted to be with you two." Isa shook his head. That's when shadows began to emanate from my body.

"Chey, you're fading," Isa told me.

"Well, you guys faded too and you're both here," I pointed out. Lea looked over at the bluenette.

"Saix, what do we do?"

"Saix?" I wondered aloud.

"Let's take her back to The Castle That Never Was," Isa decided. Lea picked me up in his arms as I shivered from the spreading darkness.

"Don't worry, Chey," The redhead reassured me, "You'll be okay."

I had lost my memory of my life and the first seven days in the Organization were a blur, but before I knew it, I was dressed in one of the Organization's coats and given a name and a title of my own. Number XIII, Exchy. I was called, "The Key to Darkness," because of my ability to control the darkness around me and was brought to a place called The Castle That Never Was and was tested by the Organization's scientist, Vexen. I don't know what for, but he filled a vile with the shadows that were emanating from my body and took it away.

A/N: So there's the next chapter. I'm still so hyped! I hope you guys enjoyed it! To be continued . . .